ENG-2001 — Page 299

LAND, PUBLIC WORKS AND UTILITIES

A number of hydraulic studies have been carried out to investigate the impact of major coastal engineering projects. These major projects include the Tonggu Waterway, Siu Lam Typhoon Shelter, Tang Lung Chau Dangerous Goods. Anchorage and sand dredging works at the East Lamma Channel Marine Borrow Area. As part of the study, a trial section of wave absorbing seawall is being built at the new waterfront at the West Kowloon Reclamation. It is anticipated that this new type of seawall will help reduce the reflection of waves in the inner part of the harbour. A digital tidal stream atlas and a wave atlas have also been developed by the department to provide average tidal and extreme wave information.

Water Supplies

Water from Guangdong

Guangdong rivers are Hong Kong's major source of raw water. Hong Kong began to receive raw water from Guangdong when a scheme was formulated in 1960 for receiving a piped supply of 22.7 million cubic metres a year.

In 1989, a long-term agreement was concluded with the Guangdong provincial authorities for a reliable water supply. In recent years, due to heavy rainfall, coupled with the declining demand from local industry, there has been a decrease in demand for raw water from Guangdong. The Government reached an agreement with the Guangdong provincial authorities in July 1998 whereby the annual increase stipulated in the 1989 agreement was to be reduced from 30 million cubic metres to 10 million cubic metres from 1998 to 2004. As a result, the intake in the seven years will be reduced by 560 million cubic metres, cumulatively. Under the agreement, the supply quantity for 2001 was 790 million cubic metres, rising to 820 million cubic metres in 2004, compared with the present designed maximum capacity of 1 100 million cubic metres per year. The annual supply quantity beyond 2004 will be subject to further review.

The quality of raw water from Guangdong continues to improve as a result of the efforts made by the Guangdong provincial authorities, including the commissioning of the biological nitrification plant and sediment removal in the Shenzhen Reservoir, and strict enforcement of laws on pollution control. Further improvement in water quality is expected when the construction of the Dongshen closed aqueduct system is completed in 2003.

Water Storage and Consumption

Full supply was maintained throughout the year. At the end of 2001, 444 million cubic metres of water were in storage, compared with 480 million cubic metres at the end of 2000. Hong Kong's two largest reservoirs, High Island and Plover Cove, held 389 million cubic metres. Rainfall of 3 092 millimetres 40 per cent higher than the annual average of 2 214 millimetres was recorded in 2001.

A peak daily consumption of 2.79 million cubic metres was recorded on August 21, compared with the 2000 peak of 2.71 million cubic metres. The average daily consumption throughout the year was 2.57 million cubic metres, compared with the 2000 average of 2.53 million cubic metres. The consumption of potable water totalled 940 million cubic metres, compared with 924 million cubic metres in 2000. In addition, 236 million cubic metres of sea water were supplied for flushing, compared with 229 million cubic metres in 2000.

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